Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Mustard Cream Sauce and Green Beans

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pan-seared chicken thighs served with tender green beans and a tangy mustard cream sauce for a comforting, elegant dinner. This French-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 French cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and cook undisturbed for 7-8 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp. Flip and cook on the other side for 5-6 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm.
  3. Step 3: Add 12 oz trimmed green beans to the same skillet and sauté for 4-5 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
  4. Step 4: Push green beans to the side and add 1 finely chopped shallot and 1 minced garlic clove to the empty space. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1/3 cup dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon. Let wine reduce by half over medium heat, about 3 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  7. Step 7: Return chicken thighs to the skillet to warm in the sauce for 1 minute, then serve chicken with green beans and spoon the mustard cream sauce over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Mustard Cream Sauce and Green Beans take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Mustard Cream Sauce and Green Beans?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Mustard Cream Sauce and Green Beans?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Mustard Cream Sauce and Green Beans for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Mustard Cream Sauce and Green Beans?

French chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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